The Cubs yesterday "briefly put a mock-up sign" in Wrigley Field's right field, "in a test run designed to allay fears of the owners of nearby rooftop clubs with lucrative views into the park," according to Hal Dardick of the CHICAGO TRIBUNE. The sign was "meant to mimic the 650-square-foot script advertising sign" already approved by the city of Chicago. Cubs VP/Communications & Community Affairs Julian Green said that the rooftop clubs "still would have views into the stadium but conceded they would 'not likely' be the same full views they now enjoy." Mac Strategies Group President Ryan McLaughlin, whose firm reps the rooftop owners, said, "We've been crystal clear, any sign that blocks the views of the rooftops will result in legal action." McLaughlin referred to "a revenue-sharing agreement between rooftop owners and the team" that expires at the end of '23 (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 10/31). In Chicago, Fran Spielman notes the test run proved to rooftop owners that views "would, indeed, be blocked by the right-field sign." Green said that the Cubs "plan to forge ahead with the sign" despite negative reaction to yesterday's test. Green: "Every one of these rooftops still has a view inside this ballpark. I didn't say the same view. But, we believe every rooftop partner will be able to have a view inside the ballpark." He added that the "see-through Toyota sign" that's already up in left field "did not violate the rooftops contract" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 10/31).
